The worldwide macroeconomic picture for 2017, despite the forecast recovery estimated by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), shows risks and uncertainties due to the onset of turbulence in emerging economies due to normalisation of the American monetary policy.
ACI World (Airport Council International World) figures on the performance of the global air transport industry point out that in January 2017, passenger traffic grew by 7.7% over the same month of 2016.
According to reports from ACI Europe (Airport Council International Europe), passenger traffic in European airports in January increased by 8.9% compared to the same month of 2016, with a higher increase in EU countries (+10%) versus non-EU countries (+5.4%).
The airports managed by the SEA Group recorded an increase of +9.3% in the first two months of 2017, compared to an average growth of passenger traffic at Italian airports totalling 5.1%, this confirmed the Group's positive growth trend in the last part of 2016.
The year in progress will continue to be characterised by a positive passenger traffic development, thanks to consolidation of the Milan airport both of short-medium range traffic and intercontinental traffic. The Linate airport, with the exception of the effects resulting from restructuring of Alitalia, which could temporarily affect traffic at the airport, will maintain traffic levels basically in line with the previous year. The infrastructure development plan for 2017 includes, among other things, completion of the Terminal 1 Schengen area restyling and start of work for Linate's restyling, in order to further improve passenger experience and increase overall and unit revenues in the Non Aviation segment at the same time.
Management will continue its commitment to further development of the various managed business areas and to pursue efficiency measures aimed at improving company processes.
Based on these assumptions, results for the year in progress are expected to confirm the positive growth trend reported in the past two years.